Page 25 - San Angelo

Established over seventyyears ago, Goodfellow Air Force Base is a permanent component of San Angelo, something as natural and essential as the Concho River or Historic Downtown. On any given day, you can see military men and women in their uniforms around San Angelo, acting as a constant reminder of their dedication to our country and San Angelo’s important role as a harbor for a military base.

GAFB received its name from a native airman who lost his life in the line of duty. On September 14, 1918 at the Gondreville Airfeld in France, 1st Lieutenant John J. Goodfellow, Jr. of San Angelo boarded his Salmson 2A2 observation plane to perform visual reconnaissance behind enemy lines. The mission of which he was an important component was part of a larger undertaking: a crucial American offense formed to reduce the German salient. However, unfavorable weather only allowed observation from a lower altitude than normal, ultimately exposing Goodfellow to enemy discovery. Sadly, Goodfellow’s remains were discovered, along with his shot down aircraft, three days later. In due honor, San Angelo’s own air force base was named after him.

The mission of GAFB is to "Train World-Class Firefghting and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Warriors." Pulling from its namesake, it only seems right in honor of the 1st Lieutenant’s sacrifce.

Currently, Goodfellow Air Force Base is home to the 17th Training Wing, including four groups, ffteen squadrons, nearly a dozen specialized staff agencies, more than a half dozen separate tenant units, as well as an Army battalion, and Navy and Marine Corps training sectors. Goodfellow trains airmen, soldiers, sailors, and marines to be

some of the best-trained service members in the world.

Naturally, the numerous sectors of GAFB bring in a spread of men and women from around the country. For Maggie Kiser, a retired Senior Airman, she has found